Games against Nature: An Eco-Cultural History of the Nunu of Equatorial Africa

Studies in Environment and History

by Robert W. Harms

In this book, Robert Harms makes an important advance toward recovering the history of the people of the rain forest by telling the story of the Nunu, who live in and around swampy floodplains of the middle Zaire River. Using concepts drawn from game theory, Professor Harms explores the changing relationship between nature and culture among the Nunu. Picturing Nunu society as animated by a never-ending competition among lineages and households, he traces how the competition pushed people into new environments, and how adaption to the new environment, in turn, led to new forms of competition.

Genres: Africa

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jenna W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good example of environmental history in Africa. Very thoroughly researched.